Prayer

Psalm 17:6
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

Introduction
Prayer is worship that includes all the attitudes of the human spirit in its approach to God. The Christian
worships God when he adores, confesses, praises and supplicates (humbly presents requests) in prayer.
Prayer in the Bible is not a natural response.1 Consequently, the Lord does not hear every prayer.2 The
biblical doctrine of prayer emphasizes the character of God and the necessity of a man being in
covenant relation with Him, entering fully into all the privileges and obligations of that
relationship. Prayer is the highest activity of which the human spirit is capable.

Why Pray?

1. Prayer is designed to allow the believer to have profound intimacy with God. It is an aspect of
worship where the believer recognizes who God is and agrees with His will.

2. We are commanded to pray. Specifically, we are commanded to pray continually, to pray for all
believers, to not be anxious and instead present our requests to God with
thanksgiving, etc. Jesus assumes that we pray, as He instructed us on how to pray.

3. We have seen followers of God modeling prayer since the beginning of creation, where the
patriarchs call upon the name of the Lord.

4. Prayer accomplishes Gods will on earth.

5. Prayer enables us to live a life dependent on the God. Through prayer we model our
dependence on God, presenting our requests to Him and allowing us to not be anxious.

6. Prayer allows us to seek Gods will and assistance in our lives and the lives of others.

What Happens When We Pray?

Paul writes to the Romans what takes place when we pray.

Romans 8:26-27

As fallen humans, we are so weak that we do not even know what we should pray for. We know that
we have this surge of feelings, thoughts, anxieties and other emotions swirling around, yet we cannot
perfectly put into words what we ought to be asking. But the Holy Spirit can articulate the groans of our
hearts! Though we are ignorant of what to pray for and how to voice those requests, the Spirit
graciously voices our requests to the Father for us. In this request, the Holy Spirit brings to the Father a
prayer that is strong and in accordance with Gods will (they know the mind of each other, as there is
one God and they are both fully God). Therefore whenever you pray, your prayers will be fixed to be
according to Gods will.12 Additionally, the Holy Spirit came to glorify Christ, so whenever He does
anything, He has to make sure that the glorification of Christ is the essence of it. The Father will always
grant a request from the Spirit (because it is in accordance with His will), though He does not always
answer all our requests in the affirmative (because not all of our requests are in accordance with His
will).

How Do We Pray?

1. With Confidence. Prayer is possible because of our great High Priest who is both human and
divine, because He is now in the heavenly place and because of what He is now doing. 13

2. Trusting God. As we pray, we remember that God is God, and is free to execute His will in
whatever way He chooses (1 John 5:14-15).

3. With the Spirits Help. Just as the Spirit enables us to do anything in life, the Spirit enables us as
we pray. To not pursue a dynamic prayer life is to not give the Holy Spirit anything to help. By
not allowing the Holy Spirit to help, one will never live beyond his or her own ability and
weakness, which will result in a failed Christian life, Communication with God is the most
important issue in life.

4. By Following Jesus Model. He urges us to pray knowing that God gives good gifts;14 to pray
with a forgiving and humble spirit;15 to pray with persistence;16 to pray with simplicity;17 to
pray with urgency and intensity;18 and to pray in humility, not showing off in front of
others.19 As to method in prayer, the Lord had two important things to teach. First, prayer is
now to be offered to the Father, as Jesus modeled by praying to the Father during his time on
earth.20 As the Father insisted on faith,21 tested sincerity,22 uncovered ignorance23 and sinful
presumption24 in those who petitioned to Him, so He does today in the experience of those who
pray to Him. Secondly, prayer is now be offered in the name of Christ,25 through whom we have
access to the Father. To pray in the name of Christ is to pray as Christ Himself prayed.

5. From the Heart. People may utter many poetic words in prayer, but according to the Bible, the
Lord never hears your oration.26 He does not hear your words, but your heart. The believer
should never think that their words might not be good enough.

6. In All Circumstances. As to the Lords practice of prayer, it is well known that He prayed in
secret,27 in times of spiritual conflict,28 and on the cross.29 In His prayers, Jesus offered
thanksgiving,30 sought guidance,31 interceded,32 and communed with the Father.33

The Lords Prayer | Luke 11:1-4

1. Hallowed Be Your Name. Hallowed communicates: let your name be regarded as holy. It is
not so much a petition as an act of worship. The speaker, in his own words, magnifies and
praises the holiness of God. This is of first importance (sequentially and spiritually). We are first
and foremost to give God glory (this is the purpose of our existence), and we do that in prayer
by recognizing and acknowledging His holiness and majesty. Its not buttering Him up to get
what we want, but rather an admission of reality and a subjection to His grandeur. It also
 signifies an attitude of reverence. We come to Him not flippantly or haphazardly, but with
regard to His holiness.

2. Your Kingdom Come. Ask that Gods values, plans, and ideals come to pass, and that they be
honored and applied on earth. It is a genuine concern for Gods agenda and gives him
preeminence as the king of the universe.

3. Give Us Each Day Our Daily Bread. We recognize and acknowledge our dependence on God for
daily physical and spiritual provision.

4. Forgive Us Our Sins, For We Also Forgive Everyone Who Sins Against Us. Here there is
confession, keeping the lines of communication open between God and you. Forgiving others is
not a prerequisite for salvation, however, it is clear in Scripture that a person who claims to have
received Gods forgiveness must have this desire to forgive others spring forth from their lives. If
not, we must question has that person really received Gods forgiveness.34 We can experience
forgiveness daily if we engage in frequent and specific confession and repentance.

5. Lead Us Not Into Temptation. We ask protection from tempting situations.

Sample Prayer Structure

There are four major areas we should address when we pray to the Lord:

1. Preeminence. God, you are majestic and powerful. I yield my life to you.

2. Provision. Lord, give me your guidance in decision-making.

3. Pardon. Forgive me for my sins (be specific).

4. Protection. Keep me from giving in to the temptations of the world.

Here is another example:

1. Adoration

2. Confession

3. Thanksgiving

4. Supplication

Conclusion
The heart of prayer is expressed by B. F. Westcott: True prayerthe prayer that must be answeredis
the personal recognition and acceptance of the divine will. It follows that the hearing of prayer which
teaches obedience is not so much the granting of a specific petition, which is assumed by the petitioner
to be the way to the end desired, but the assurance that what is granted does most effectively lead to
 the end. Thus we are taught that Christ learned that every detail of His life and passion contributed to
the accomplishment of the work, which He came to fulfill, and so He was most perfectly heard. In this
sense He was heard for his godly fear.35

Application Questions

1. Do you believe that prayer is essential to your walk with the Lord?

2. How often do you pray?

3. How do you pray?

Memory Verses
Philippians 4:6-7
1 John 5:14-15

What Defines a Christian Disciple?

John 8:31
Jesus said, If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
Introduction
While Websters Dictionary describes a disciple as a pupil or follower of any teacher or school of religion,
learning, art, etc, a Christian disciple follows Jesus. A Christian disciple is one who loves God with
everything one has. A Christian disciple, by Gods grace, becomes more and more like Christ through a
life of faith and obedience.
Life Example
Have you ever met someone who claimed to be something, but acted another way? Have you ever
encountered someone who contradicted what they said they believed? Think of a person who claims to
be a huge fan of a certain sports team, but then turns on the team when they lose several games in a
row. Think of a more serious example. We often hear stories of women who are abused by men who
claim to love them. If ones actions contradict ones words, which is true? In Christs eyes, it is our
actions that speak to what we believe. So, in following Him, we must hold to His teachings in our daily
lives.
When we look at the New Testament Gospels, we see that those who followed Jesus truly were His
disciples. Because of their love for Christ, many left their jobs, homes, and security to walk with Him as
He ministered to people throughout Palestine. They had the benefit of walking with Christ in the
flesh. So, what does it look like now with Christ risen and the Holy Spirit dwelling within us to be
Jesus disciple?

Characteristics of a Christian disciple:

1. A true disciple of the Jesus worships God. If you are a new creation in Christ, you are someone
who brings glory to God and recognizes His honor.
2. A disciple must be confident in the efficacy of Christs death and resurrection for his
salvation. He must know that he is a child of God and Christ dwells within him. 1
3. A disciple walks in the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is responsible for
everything that happens in the life of a believerhis new birth, daily walk, understanding of Scripture,
 prayer, etc. He produces the fruit of the Spirit in us, which enables us to live holy lives and witness for
Christ.2
4. A disciple demonstrates love for God, neighbor, fellow disciples, and enemies. Jesus
commands us to love God with every fiber of our being and to love our neighbors as ourselves. 3
5. A disciple is one who knows how to read, study, memorize, and meditate upon the Word of
God, to store its truths in his heart. It is impossible to walk in the fullness of Gods Holy Spirit
without understanding Gods Word. The reverse is also true: you cannot understand Gods Word
without the Holy Spirit.4
6. A true disciple of Jesus is a man or woman of prayer. Jesus models throughout Scripture that
communicating with God is one of the most important things in a Christians life. He models that those
who are children of God seek the Father.5
7. A disciple is one who obeys the commands of God in a lifestyle that honors Christ.6
8. A disciple is one who trusts God and lives a life of faith. Scripture reminds us that, without faith it
is impossible to please God.7
9. A disciple understands Gods grace. God loves us unconditionally, whether we obey Him or
not. This is the opposite of legalism a heretic way of thinking that urges us to try to obey Gods laws
in our own wisdom, strength, and power.8
10. A disciple is one who witnesses for Christ as a way of life.9 If you love Jesus, you are spurred on
to tell people about Him, testifying to what He has done in your life.
Application Questions
1. What are some characteristics of a true Christian disciple you are noticing in your own life?

2. What are some characteristics of a true Christian disciple that you struggle with? Have you given that
over to the Lord?

Memory Verses
Luke 14:27
John 8:31
John 13:35
How does this study reinforce your belief in the gospel?
References
1. 1 John 5:13
2. Galatians 5:22-25
3. Mark 12:30-31; Matthew 5:43-48
4. Psalm 119

5. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
6. James 1:22-25
7. Hebrews 11:6
8. Romans 5:1
9. Matthew 5:16